Contact:
Patrick Fowler
Petersburg-Wrangell Area Management Biologist
Phone: (907) 772-5231

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) announced today that the king salmon sport fishing regulations that have been in effect in the marine waters of District 8 near Petersburg and Wrangell have been rescinded. As of 12:01 a.m. Thursday, June 2nd, 2016, the king salmon sport fishing regulations for the waters of District 8 will be the same as those in effect for the entire Southeast region. These regulations are as follows:

♦  Alaskan Resident

• The resident bag and possession limit is three king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length.

♦  Nonresident

• The nonresident bag and possession limit is one king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length, except during May and June the bag and possession limit is two king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length;

• The nonresident annual limit is six king salmon, 28 inches or greater in length. Nonresident anglers shall immediately record, in ink, all king salmon harvested either on the back of their sport fishing license or on a nontransferable harvest record.

♦  Only between October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017; sport anglers may use two rods when fishing for king salmon.

The 2016 Stikine River king salmon preseason forecast projected that an allowable catch of Stikine River king salmon would be available in the 2016 season. Sport fishing opportunity was previously increased as called for under the Stikine River King Salmon Management Plan when an allowable catch exists. However, the department’s inseason estimated terminal run size does not provide for an allowable catch. Therefore regulations allowing increased opportunity for Stikine River king salmon are no longer justified.

For further information concerning this announcement please contact Petersburg/Wrangell Area Management Biologist, Patrick Fowler at (907) 772-5231.